Whereas stool-based methylated KCNQ5 test also demonstrated high sensitivities for the detection of precancerous lesions and early stage CRCs, its sensitivities for late stage CRCs were markedly lower than those of methylated C9orf50. These results suggested that stool-based methylated C9orf50 test has the potential to become an alternative approach for early diagnosis of CRC. The gene discussed is C9orf50; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.